August 2006 - Posts
It has been an intensive last few weeks of planning “retreats.” First a staff retreat, then a worship “Vision Team“ retreat. The brainstorming has been fun but now it is time to flesh out the details. We are working toward making the transition from 6 services back to 3 a year from now when, Lord willing, our worship center will be complete.
It has been interesting to try to imagine what it will be like and what preparations are needed when we move from a space that seats 500 to one that seats 1,700. It is sort of like planning to lead at a convention where you are not totally sure of what the facilities will be like. Some of the other factors will be how it affects things outside of the service- everything from Bible School to children's programming to parking. Fortunately we have experimented with larger facilities when we all meet together at the Leggett and Platt Center at Easter time. What is personally intriguing to me is how the dynamics of the service may change because of it's size.
We have been working through things like... “How will we do communion time?” We currently go to tables placed throughout the room to partake and have an opportunity to pray with others. How will we structure the worship teams? What advantages can we take a hold of because we will no longer be having simultaneous services? What can we do in the meantime to alleviate the crowd pressures and balance the services? Most of all, “How can we be a people where the Lord is pleased to dwell“ “Lord, what do you want us to do?” is ever on our hearts.
What an exciting set of problems to face! Say a prayer for us, if you would.
![]()
I got my Leeland “Sound of Melodies” CD today (Essential Records). I pre-ordered it. I've been waiting with anticipation ever since Chad played a couple of the tracks at our last co-write. What a great sound! Melodies, progressions, cool ideas and lyrics in every track...so fresh, I just love it!
![]()
It was a home run. Jaime Jamgochian came to share with our congregation last weekend. We led 3 of the morning services together and then she gave a concert in the evening. She really touched the hearts of our people, not only with her music but also by sharing her testimony and in meeting with and encouraging our worship teams.
Thanks Jaime, Lord bless you.
![]()
I get my daughters back on Friday from Taiwan. Hurray!
One of my co-writing friends, Jaime Jamgochian is coming to College Heights this week. We will be leading worship together in three of the services. Then she is giving a concert in the evening. Everyone is looking forward to it. Hurray!
Jodie asked my to stop by Braums to pick up some cheese and whatever else I wanted. Hurray!
![]()
I'm to tired to write much tonight.
The best of today was...
Shawn Groves session on avoiding burnout
Lunch with the Write About Jesus Crew
Julie Grace's (Parachute Band) session on “Developing Your Songwriting Potential“ was full of fresh tips and approaches to growing in the craft
Hearing that my blog link was published in Worship Leader Mag. last issue under “Come, now is the time to blog it“
Miniature golf with Jubi
Managing to squeeze in a co-write with Shawn Tyler Gray today.
![]()
I got my workout today recording sessions. One of my wireless mics freaked out and I had to run up and down the hill to get another one as the class was starting. I think I'm still out of breath.
I finally got free to attend (and record) a couple of songwriting classes. Sue Smith's class on rewriting was so rich in practical ideas to help in the rewriting process. I've never known anyone who can recall lyric examples or songwriting quotes like Sue.
Buddy Green's (co-wrote “Mary, Did You Know“) class on melody writing was just plain fun as he journeyed through a series of great melodies that have shaped his writing. The man has an amazing repertoire to draw from. I'd love to sit in a writing room with that guy someday and pick his musical brain. His part of the concert with sidekick, Jeff Taylor was great tonight also. The audience was soon right with him. Bo played the shaker with them tonight on one song of the set. What a hoot! Kristie and Bo made the songwriting finals. Yea!!!
Today's highlight had to be hearing Nichole Nordeman's life journey and later, her songs in the concert. It moved me to tears so many times. At one point she talked about the people that surrounded her life. I was sitting behind John Mays when she spoke about when he first began to work with her. Thank God he did. It made me thankful for John's ministry to the Kingdom by finding gifted people and helping the Lord plug them into His work. I am so grateful those who have mentored and encouraged me throughout my life. Nichole is so transparent and her comments between the songs are like songs themselves-just the right words. What a communicator! Sorry, it wasn't recorded to because of the songs performed. It belongs to God now and those who were blessed to be there.
It was also cool to see Steven Curtis Chapman's two sons playing in his band on drums and guitar. Family night. They were so well rehearsed and so tight. I just sat there amazed. It reminded me of the joy I have when my children, Laura and Nathanael have helped me lead worship. It was great to have my niece and her friend there to share the concert. We had a great time.
It was great to talk to fellow WAJonian Kara Smith tonight at the concert. We both have kids on mission trips right now. I saw some pic of my girls in Taiwan's Taroko Gorge. They posted them on the web. I miss them a bunch.
I slipped into one of the classroom cabins to play the piano tonight. I needed the fix. Then I walked out under the Rocky Mountain stars.
This is a very moving week for me. The Lord has used so many people to speak things into my life. Sometimes when I hear great writers' songs I think. “I will never be able to write like that” and perhaps that isn't even God's goal for me. The biggest reminder to me this week was that His word and my relationship with Him is the source of my songs.
I wrote part of a song this morning after I read a chapter in Hebrews. I cried as I wrote it, the idea moved me so. It's sometimes hard to describe to anyone else how God is impacting you through the events of the day, little words here or there, tiny moment that reminds you He is has his hand on you and is guiding your life. It moves me to gratitude.
This is an amazing week.
![]()
Highlights of the Day (in reverse order)
Fireproof!!! The biligual hispanic kid band that blew away Cafe Estes tonight. Six members, ranging in age from 7 to young teens. How can a band that young be so tight? And we are talking latin rhythms. My prediction? They take the band competition.
Setting up a co-write
Best colorado T-shirt of the week - “Bears love people.........they taste like chicken”
Dinner with Jubi and Jodie at the Indian Restaurant in Estes...the best chicken tikka masalla ever...with the best company ever.
Catching up with Billy Sprague who has been called to a worship ministry in Denver...Cool!
Listening to and meeting Jeff Taylor (one of those session players who can play any instrument they put their hands on) talking about the best pennywhistle craftsmen, and what albums he has playing on recently. Jeff Backed up Buddy Green in the Artist Teaching Session. I am always taken back by the humble excellence of veteran players who travel around with groups. I remember seeing Jackie Street at Estes last year playing bass for one of the groups. Man! No telling how many gigs and sessions he has played. I find myself constantly tuning into what the band is doing to make the setting for the lead vocal. I'm taking in Jeff's texas swing band show next Monday night I am in Nashville.
Listening to Buddy play his rendition of “Jesus I am Resting, Resting“
Lunch with Bo and Chris...discussing the week/ songs/ writing
Hours of great teaching in the Worship Leader sessions and feeling like the Lord has crafted the whole week just to teach and encourage me.
Waking up in the Colorado mountains again this morning. You know, God made this place!
![]()
Just heard a great session by Holland Davis “Let is Rise”, on the role of a worship minister. One of the best overeviews of worship ministry I have heard. Full of VERY practical wisdom. Again, it should be available at www.catapes.com
I met worship leader, David Edwards today. He is leading in some of the sessions. We had a great conversation about our journeys and friends. He wrote for BBMP for a couple of years. It was a great encouragement to talk to him. He says I need to connect with Reggie Stone.
Saw Sue this morning and she introduced me to Dennis Dearing who produced an artist in the Joplin area recently. Small world. I'm hearing a lot a great stuff in the worship leader section but I miss being in the songwriting track.
Ran into Bo last night. He has a song in the semi finals along with several other Wajonians (Write-About-Jesus alumni)...Go Team Go!!!
Jubi and Jodie went for an hour long trail ride yesterday. It was Jubi's first time on a big horse all by herself. She was proud to be the second horse right after the leader and in front of mom.
![]()
Driving in the mountains always reminds me of driving across Taiwan. You think Pikes Peak is a harrowing drive? Try the highway across Taiwan. 700 feet, half a road, no guard rail, cabbage trucks passing you, beautiful scenery. Some things that your children do are better off revealed to you after they have happened. If you read my daughters blog, you will understand what I mean. http://www.xanga.com/nagelthegreat/513402557/item.html
![]()